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Almost one-third of all the water used by American households goes to watering lawns and
plants. If you take the steps
necessary to improve your lawn watering efficiency you can reduce your overall water usage, have a more attractive lawn and save money all at the same time!
Whether using an automatic irrigation system, or manually moving hose-end sprinklers or handheld hoses, it's important to follow these tips to improve watering efficiency:
- Water your lawn early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. This will greatly minimize evaporation.
- Be certain that your sprinkler heads are watering your lawn and garden, not driveways and sidewalks.
- Don't water your lawn at all on windy days.
- An established lawn and garden typically doesn't require watering more than a couple of times a week.
- Keep track of how much rain or irrigation water a your lawn receives with a rain
gauge.
- Only water your lawn when it needs it. If you leave footprints when walking across the grass, it's time to apply
some water.
Another way to improve watering efficiency is to install a high-quality automatic irrigation system
because they water more completely and efficiently than handheld hoses.
"Over-watering is a much larger problem than under-watering," says Tom Kimmell, executive director of The Irrigation Association and a contributor to
Project EverGreen, a national alliance of lawn and landscape companies and organizations created to educate and inform consumers about how to maintain and manage green spaces.
"When you see water running off your lawn, money is leaking from your wallet at the same time. An automatic irrigation system is a conservation tool because it provides balanced water delivery and keeps your yard healthy throughout the year."
Recently, green industry companies and associations such as The Irrigation Association have teamed up to form the nonprofit organization Project EverGreen to raise awareness about the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits of landscapes and promote the significance of those who preserve and enhance green spaces at home, work and play.
Automatic irrigation systems have many benefits, including:
- Reduced labor for watering
- Convenience
- Full lawn & garden coverage
- Easy control over irrigation timing for early-
morning watering
- Added home value
- Minimized plant loss during drought
- They can be timed to comply with local
watering regulations
"Efficient watering prevents waste, lessens the effects of drought and minimizes run-off and leaching," explains
Tom Kimmell. "Reducing the amount of water used in our lawns and landscapes is essential to conserving the water supply for everyone."
Article courtesy of ARA
Content.
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